3
STEPS TO A FIRE SAFE HOME!
- BE AWARE OF THE COMMON CAUSES OF HOME FIRES.
- INVOLVE THE WHOLE FAMILY AND CHECK FOR HOME HOT SPOTS.
- KNOW HOW TO CORRECT HOME FIRE HAZARDS QUICKLY AND SAFELY.
ELECTRICAL
Never overload your homes electrical system. All large
appliances should have their own circuits.
Signs of overloaded wiring include:
- Frequently blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
- Slow heating appliances.
- Shrinking television picture.
- Never replace a blown fuse with a fuse that is too large
for that circuit. Never substitute a penny for a fuse.
- If you suspect your homes wiring is overloaded, have it
checked by a licensed electrician immediately.
- Always unplug appliances after use.
- Never wrap a cord around a warm appliance.
- Don't block air circulation.
- Never leave an electrical appliance near water.
- If an appliance gets wet, have it serviced before using it
again.
- Replace broken plugs and frayed or worn cords immediately.
- Only plug one appliance into an outlet or extension cord.
 return
HEATING
Home heating systems cause many fire related deaths each
year. Being aware of some of the problems that heating systems
can cause can help to decrease the occurrence of these fires.
Gas Heaters
- Examine the gas line for punctures or splits.
- Check the connectors and valves for leaks.
- Inspect monthly during the year and weekly during the
winter.
Electrical Heaters
- Make sure your homes wiring is sufficient to handle the
heater's needs.
- Frequently check wires and fuses for damage and repair
immediately.
- Never use the heater near a source of water.
return
Kerosene Heaters
- Use only water clear, grade A-1 kerosene.
- Never use gasoline, camp stove fuel or yellow kerosene.
- Always keep all combustible materials at least three feet
away from space heaters.
- Only use if legal in your area.
Woodstoves and Fireplaces
- Top the chimney with a spark guard.
- Always use a screen large enough to cover the opening.
- When in use, keep the damper open.
- Never burn green wood, paper or trash, they cause heavy
creosote build-up.
- Inspect and clean regularly.
return
HOUSEKEEPING
Your Home and its Surroundings
- Avoid cluttering the attic or basement. Make sure there is
air circulation.
- Store flammable liquids in tightly sealed, properly
labeled metal containers away from heat sources.
- Clear pine needles and leaves from the roof and gutters.
Trim tree limbs within ten feet or your house and remove dead
limbs.
- Never keep trash near your home.
- Never smoke in bed. Keep smoking materials away from the
bed area.
- Check living areas for smoldering cigarettes.
- Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
In the Kitchen
- Don't overheat grease and be alert for overflows.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Always turn pot handles toward the center of the stove.
- Don't leave towels, napkins, or pot holders near the
stove.
- Keep your stove and oven clean.
return
INSPECTION CHECKLIST
- Install smoke detectors throughout your home and test them
at least once a month.
- Keep multipurpose ABC fire extinguishers serviced and
ready to use. Know how to operate them properly.
- Keep emergency numbers clearly posted near the telephone,
and learn the correct procedure to report a fire.
- Make sure every family member knows how to escape from the
house by crawling low in smoke. Hold regular fire drills.
- Designate two exits from each room and a meeting place
outside the home.
- If a fire breaks out and you can't control it, get out
fast and call the fire department from a neighbors home.
- NEVER GO BACK INTO A BURNING BUILDING!
|
